Candace Homes • Scripture-based teaching
Where’s Jesus? I thought He’d be here by now!
This book, Where’s Jesus? I thought He’s be Here by Now! is about my decades-long journey from the Pre-Tribulation Rapture to the Post Tribulation Rapture position. You’ll walk with me through the mental, emotional and spiritual steps that put me on the path that inevitably led me to the scriptures presented in this book.
If you are somewhere on this journey, my prayer is that my book and my blog will help you with the nagging questions you may have about the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine as well.
In the short time it takes you to read this book, you will clearly understand what took me decades to sort out. Why so long?
I was taught things about the end times that didn’t line up with scripture. Every time I saw a scripture that conflicted with the doctrine of my church, I forced it to line up with our doctrine, instead of adjusting what I believe to line up with God’s Word.
My understanding was clouded and when I asked questions I was hushed. The truth, it turns out, is crystal clear and not ambiguous at all, it was my thinking that was confused. And my desire to conform and not make waves slowed my journey to a crawl at times.
This book started as a timeline of scripture references scribbled on the back of a roll of wallpaper border. I can’t say I originally wrote this book for you. It was a personal quest for truth that kept me rolling out that roll of wallpaper to puzzle over it year after year.
A nagging feeling that I had to know the truth and be able to put my highlighter on a specific verse that confirmed the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine is what drove me on.
As the time of Jesus’ return draws near, I feel a sense of urgency to share with you what I’ve learned. An event that causes millions of Christians to fall away from the Lord could happen at any time. Are you prepared?
Whether you’re confident, curious, or conflicted, these resources are designed to help you test every traditional Pre-Tribulation teaching against Scripture.
quick reference
Ten Reasons I Believe in a
Post Tribulation Rapture
This list does not cover every scripture that supports a Post Tribulation Rapture, but if you have never studied the subject, these scripture references are a good place to start.
Jesus said He was coming back AFTER the tribulation and AFTER the sun goes dark, the moon goes red and the stars fall from the sky.
It’s at that point that the Day of the Lord begins. It is the “last day” an eternal day in which Jesus is the light and there is no more night.
Matthew 24:29-31, Luke 21:25-27, Mark 13:23-27, Revelation 22:5, John 6:39, 40, 44, 54, John 11:24, 12:48, Joel 2:30-31
Jesus used the parable of the wheat and the weeds to explain how the end times would unfold. The weeds were pulled out first not the wheat!
Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus tells the parable
Matthew 13:36-42 Jesus explains the parable to His disciples
Angels present at Jesus’ ascension, stated that He would return in the same (visible) manner He left.
Jesus also said He would be visible to all when He returns.
Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:30, 26:64, Mark 13:26, 14:62
Paul ties the ‘Day of the Lord’ to the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the rapture of living believers. He then states that the Day of the Lord can’t happen until certain things happen first. These events line up perfectly with Jesus’ timeline on the Mount of Olives.
I Thessalonians 4:16 through I Thessalonians 5:11, II Thessalonians 2:1-11,
(Joel 2:28-32 Says the Day of the Lord can’t happen before the celestial disturbance)
Peter records that on the Day of the Lord, the earth will melt, the atmospheric heavens will be destroyed by fire.
This can’t happen at the beginning of the Tribulation.
II Peter 3:10-12, Isaiah 13:9-11
The “first resurrection” (the same one Paul discusses in his first letter to the Thessalonians) occurs right after Satan is bound according to Revelation 20. This doesn’t happen before the tribulation.
The devil is VERY active during the tribulation.
Revelation 20:1-6
Jesus must remain in heaven until the time of the restitution of all things. The earth will not be restored before the tribulation.
Acts 3:21
The five foolish virgins of Matthew 25 were not admitted to the wedding
because they went out and bought oil. At the time Jesus returns buying and selling will require the Mark of the Beast.
Matthew 25:1-12, Revelation 13:17
We are told in many places in scripture to “endure to the end”. The end is defined clearly in I Corinthians 15:24 as when Jesus
“shall have put down all rule and all authority and power”.
This doesn’t happen before the tribulation.
Endure to the end: Matthew 10:22, 28:20, Hebrews 3:14, 6:10, Revelation 2:26
The end defined: I Corinthians 1:8, 15:22-24,
Paul told us the transition for living believers from mortality to immortality happens at the last trumpet.
I Corinthians 15:51-58
Above I listed ten reasons I believe in a Post Tribulation Rapture, but there are many more explained in detail in my book. I had the scriptures printed within the text of the book so you don’t have to juggle your Bible to look them up while you read.
I explain the milestones on my journey from a Pre-Tribulation Rapture to a Post Tribulation Rapture position as well as the obstacles I had to overcome to arrive at the scriptures that unlocked my understanding.
If you’re struggling to determine if what you’ve been taught about end-times lines up with God’s Word, I pray that this book points you to the specific scriptures you need.
Frequently asked questions
A few starting points for readers sorting through rapture doctrine and end-times passages.
Is your goal to “win arguments”?
No. The goal is to encourage careful study, honest questions, and humility—letting Scripture speak for itself.
Where should I start if I’m new to eschatology?
Start with the words of Jesus. Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13. Jesus also taught a parable about wheat and weeds in Matthew 13 that presents an interesting timeline. Be sure to read both the parable and Jesus’ explanation later on in the chapter to the disciples.
After reading the words of Jesus, move on to the books Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. Specifically I Thessalonians 4–5 and II Thessalonians chapters 1-2.
Do a study on the term ‘Day of the Lord’. Paul used it when referring to the rapture and the resurrection of the dead in Christ. Looking it up is easy using a Bible app or website like Biblegateway.com. Just key in the words “Day of the Lord” and watch all the scripture references pop up. Click on them and be amazed! The term ‘Day of the Lord’ appears throughout the Old Testament and would have been a familiar term to Jesus’ disciples.
Also look up the term ‘last day’. There are several passages in John’s gospel that establish this as the day those who have died in Christ will be resurrected. This occurs just before the rapture of living believers according to Paul in I Thessalonians 4.
Read the scriptures presented in the section above, “Ten Reasons I Believe in a Post Tribulation Rapture’ and then read my book! It’s an easy read and the scriptures are printed out fully in the book, so you don’t have to juggle your Bible while reading the book. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to read on a train or bus.
If you have what you think is a Frequently Asked Question, send it in. If I have not already addressed it in my book, I’ll try to address it in a blog post.
Does your book address common Pre-Tribulation proof texts?
Yes, each is examined with scripture presented in context, so you can evaluate each one carefully.
How can I be prepared to “endure to the end” as Jesus commanded?
We are told throughout the New Testament to “endure to the end”. No one said endurance was easy! It’s very definition is the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions.
None of that sounds pleasant or easy. But we’re called to endure, to stand when we want to give up. Runners who push their bodies to the limit will tell you the battle is as much mental as physical. Here are some things that if understood properly will put you on the proper mental footing.
- Understanding that tribulation is not the same thing as wrath, and that we are not the object of God’s wrath. (II Thessalonians 5:9) I devote an entire chapter to this in the book.
- Understanding that even though there will be judgments on certain segments of society during the tribulation, God’s judgments are well within His control. We don’t need to be afraid of unavoidable “friendly fire” and we don’t need to be raptured out to avoid it. He knows how many hairs His children have on their heads, and He can tell the wicked from the righteous! (II Peter 2:3-9)
- Understanding that hardship, pain and difficulty isn’t God expressing His displeasure toward you. (I Peter 4:12-16)
- Understanding that hard times are coming and we need to get ready spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.
Why do you reject a Mid-Trib Rapture?
Basically, all of the reasons in the section above that apply to a Pre-Tribulation Rapture also apply to a Mid-Tribulation Rapture as well. Here are the reasons I reject both a Pre-Trib and Mid-Trib Rapture:
- There is no reference anywhere in scripture to a secret, silent coming of Jesus before He comes visibly in the clouds.
- Jesus said he was coming AFTER the tribulation and after the celestial disturbance. (And, it aint AFTER ’till it’s OVER!)
- Acts 3:21 says that Jesus must remain in heaven until the time of restitution (restoration) of all things. This doesn’t happen until the eternal Day of the Lord, after the tribulation and after the celestial disturbance.